Panthers hang with big boys’ in Russellville

The Class 4A defending state champion Heber Springs Panthers racked up 82 points on Saturday, once again showing they can compete with the big boys as they earned third place at the Cyclone Relays in Russellville ¬ a meet that included two 5A schools, five 6A schools, seven 7A schools, plus 4A schools Heber and Dardanelle, which finished last with two points.

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By Will Gilbert/Sports Editor

The Sun-Times - Heber Springs, AR

By Will Gilbert/Sports Editor

Posted Apr. 12, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 29, 2012 at 11:57 AM

By Will Gilbert/Sports Editor

Posted Apr 12, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 29, 2012 at 11:57 AM

Heber Springs, Ark.

The Class 4A defending state champion Heber Springs Panthers racked up 82 points on Saturday, once again showing they can compete with the big boys as they earned third place at the Cyclone Relays in Russellville ¬ a meet that included two 5A schools, five 6A schools, seven 7A schools, plus 4A schools Heber and Dardanelle, which finished last with two points.

Junior Clint Ligon compiled a team-high 32 points while placing 2nd in the high jump (6’4”), 2nd in the 110 hurdles (15.55), 3rd in the long jump (21’1”), 3rd in the 300 hurdles (41.00), and 7th in the triple jump (41’.5”).

Junior Ethan Bly, who has been hampered with a lingering injury throughout much of the season, won the 400 with a time of 50.38 while teammate Austin Schmidt, a sophomore, placed 5th (50.93). Bly also took 3rd in the 100 (11.34), just in front of senior teammate Jordan Peterson (11.44).

For the senior girls, sophomore Mary Simmons placed 2nd in the 800 with a state qualifying time of 2:28.80. Senior Anna Engler took 6th in the discus (92’) and Heber’s 4 x 400 relay team of Simmons, sophomore Hannah Johnson, junior Taylor Eaton and senior Savannah Thomas placed 3rd with a time of 4:31.55.